Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

Mriga shook her head at her hot-headed bestie's reaction. She felt too tired to get up and run after her. Nothing was going to change anyways...     

She knew that she had to wake up early and replace Abhirath. So, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. But even after an hour of tossing and turning, sleep evaded her. Well, that wasn't a surprise, right!     

She got up on a huff and walked towards the earthen pot kept near the window to drink some water.     

"Ahhhh!" Mriga hit her toe hard in the wall in the darkened interiors.     

Feeling the wound gingerly, she realised that the nail of her toe thumb had broken badly. Hopping on one foot, she walked towards the exit, in order to go to the communal bathroom where first aid kit was kept.     

"Oh!"     

"You are back?"     

Ishani and Mriga met at the door.     

"I… uh," Ishani had spent the last thirty minutes contemplating how to tell Mriga about her conversation with that condescending girl.     

She had even called Vandit down from his dorm to seek advice.     

But now that she was in front of her, Ishani didn't know how to tell her.     

"Help me go to the bathroom please. I think I will need to put some Neem oil on my toe thumb," Mriga grimaced in pain and shifted her weight on Ishani's shoulder.     

After bandaging the toe, Mriga looked at her friend who was busy putting the first aid box back in the cabinet.     

"So, how did it go?" she asked in a casual, mild tone.     

When Ishani and Mriga had first become friends, they had made a pact about not hiding anything from each other. On top of that, Ishani was the kind of person who couldn't keep things inside for too long.     

She took Mriga's arm and helped her walk out to the corridor. Standing next to one of the pillars, she said, "I met her and her faithful puppy right outside her dorm."     

Mriga waited patiently as she saw Ishani struggle with the words. It was obvious from her demeanor that she didn't have great news to impart. She inhaled deeply and willed her mind to calm down.     

"Apparently the girl wasn't surprised to see me nor did she make any pretence of playing the ignorant damsel. In fact, it felt as if she had been waiting to say these things to someone. She told me that Yash was going through his first crush. Being more matured and long sighted than him, she didn't mind his actions since it was only a temporary phase. She knows how to be wait for the right time. She also informed me that she will be spending her entire vacation in his house. Apparently, he is going to help her prepare for the Queen's contest. Her demeanour was so condescending, like she is already the Queen. God! I nearly punched her," Ishani's voice was full of unspent anger by the time she uttered the last sentence.     

Mriga put her hand on her shoulder and said, "Just say it all in one go. Don't hold back. It is better that I know everything in black and white, no?"     

Ishani's heart broke looking at her friend's pale face which was devoid of all expressions at this moment.     

Nodding, she continued, "Apparently, Yash's mother is the solo decision maker in the family and her word is final. She has the highest aspirations for her son and will not settle for anyone with less than perfect pedigree. As per her, Yash is fully aware of the reality and is only building sand castles in his head. In Vindhya's words, there is no way in hell that his mother would allow him to even court a girl of his choice, no matter who she is. That is the reason why he has not even breathed a word about your existence to her till date."     

There was absolute silence in the corridor. It seemed that even the buzzing insects were holding their breaths for Mriga's reaction.     

"Do you remember the timings of the Dean's office?" Mriga asked Ishani, startling her with the change of topic.     

"Huh? What's the Dean got to do with this matter?" she asked her friend in confusion.     

Mriga remained expressionless and waited. Ishani wasn't sure why was she enquiring about an unrelated topic right now but nonetheless she replied.     

"I think it is operational between 7a.m. and 7p.m. Why?" she asked curiously.     

Nodding her head, Mriga straightened up and said, "Thanks. I am going to sleep now. You coming?"     

Ishani's mouth was ajar at her friend's attitude. It was as if she hadn't heard or understood what Ishani told her a few moments ago. She stood there immobile, trying to understand her reaction.     

Mriga started to limp towards the room. She paused after a few steps and spoke without turning to face her friend.     

"I don't want to talk about Yash and his intended fiancée ever again. Is that ok with you?" she asked softly.     

Her words snapped Ishani out of the stupor. She jogged to where Mriga stood and put her arm around her shoulder.     

"Who? I don't know the people that are you talking about. Let's go and sleep now. There is so much to finish before we leave for home, right?" with that, she gave a small squeeze on her friend's shoulder.     

3:30 AM     

Mriga's internal clock woke her up despite an uneasy sleep the previous night. She got up and went to bathe and change before heading out to the Admin building. Her toe felt better now and she wasn't limping anymore.     

Shaurya's room, Admin Building     

"You are right on time. Slept well?" Abhirath met her outside the room.